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Australia gamble big for WACA Test

Justin Chadwick

They say you've got to bet big to win big, but Australia will contemplate taking the ultimate gamble in their attempt to topple South Africa in an emotion-charged third Test at the WACA Ground, starting Friday.

With James Pattinson ruled out with a side strain and fellow quicks Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus given a well-earned rest following their Herculean workloads in Adelaide, Australia will unleash a new-look bowling attack against the Proteas in Perth.

Returning veteran Mitchell Johnson, who hasn't played a Test for more than a year, will lead the attack, while four-Test rookie Mitchell Starc will also be thrust into a leadership role with the ball.

But it's the decision of whether to go in with a four-man pace attack, or stick with a spinner, that could make-or-break Australia's quest to snare the No.1 Test ranking.

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Australia successfully employed an all-out WACA pace attack for the past two summers in wins over India and England.

But with Pattinson, Siddle and Hilfenhaus out of action for the deciding third Test against South Africa, Australia would need to hand debuts to 21-year-old Josh Hazlewood and 27-year-old John Hastings if they are to adopt the same pace formula.

As it stands, at least one of Hazlewood and Hastings will make their debut, with Australia skipper Michael Clarke still weighing up whether to stick with spinner Nathan Lyon or unleash an all-out pace blitz.

Either way, South Africa captain Graeme Smith questioned how well Australia's new bowling attack would be able to gel, especially in a match that will not only decide the series, but also the No.1 Test ranking.

"How those guys react to their roles so quickly with so many changes, that might be the interesting thing for them," Smith said.

Clarke said it was a tough decision to leave out Siddle and Hilfenhaus, but denied he was concerned about the prospect of taking in two debutants for such an important Test match.

"Josh has done really well for Australia in opportunities he's had before and Hasto is one of the leading wicket takers in Shield cricket at the moment."

Australia won't be lacking motivation for the series decider.

A win in Perth would send Australia to the top of the Test rankings.

But perhaps more important is the desperation from the players to send retiring batsman Ricky Ponting off on a winning note.

Clarke had to choke back tears when asked about Ponting's decision to retire, and had no doubt the announcement would further motivate the team.

Smith said he was likely to stick with a spinner for Perth, with left-arm finger spinner Robin Peterson the frontrunner to replace Imran Tahir, who returned figures of 0-260 in the drawn Adelaide Test.

Proteas allrounder Jacques Kallis remains a chance to play as a specialist batsman despite his recent hamstring injury, while fit-again paceman Vernon Philander, who missed the Adelaide Test with a back injury, is set to replace Rory Kleinveldt.